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I finally got 20down. I can't say it's a phrase I've heard before.

Hi Brendan and all,
I initially feel annoyed with cross-referenced clues, but went on to enjoy this one.
20d/23d was also my last in, even though I sussed the theme from 21d. 19d/25a. is a new one for me.
I'd never realised that 1d was a derivation of you-know-who. I think I have the correct answer for 8a, but can't find a dictionary entry relating it to the definition.

Weirdly, I've often seen (20d, 23) used in US (non-cryptic) crosswords as the definition of the specific example seen "inside" the solution to 16d. That's what cracked the theme for me.

Hi Mattrom,

19d/25a is a very British saying although he is actually an American.

8a - Is definitely in Chambers.

21d was also my way in.

Ah! I was being too obscure with 8a. Thanks, Brendan

Well how do you ever get started when 20 down 23 and 14 are defined by each other with cross references, and are thus unsolvable?!
My way into the theme was 21d which is findable without knowing the definition, helped by getting the first letter from the crosser.

I had never heard the expression 23d 20 so that took a long time to piece together despite understanding what it must mean, as others have found. A bit of a bar steward…

22a is rather nice. I enjoyed the simplicity of 17d also.

A fun challenge from Paul today.

Hi FemmeNoire,

"Bit of a bar steward" - excellent 😂

I seem to be in a minority of one in that I loathe Paul and all his works. I've got the theme but still have no idea about 20/23. Five to go and it's taken me so long that the phrase GET A LIFE keeps shouting in my head. Please someone stop worrying about "spoilers" and put me out of my misery on 20/23. PS I also find Pauline clues cringemaking and i'm relived to have found none here so far. :-(

Do 20/23 have shells?

Hi Lucertola,

20/23d - Is part anagram (the 2nd word) and the first word is an anagram indicator - the answer (I'd never heard the expression) is an overall term describing the words in the theme.

No shells.